DealDash Cooks Leftovers: Recipes for After Thanksgiving

What could be better than a Thanksgiving dinner? Thanksgiving leftovers! Get the most out of your leftovers this year.

The Thanksgiving feast is over, but your fridge is probably bursting with leftover turkey, ham, and side dishes. Instead of serving the same meal on repeat, why not give those leftovers a new life? With a little creativity, you can transform them into delicious soups, hearty sandwiches, or comforting casseroles that your family will love. Read on for some creative cooking ideas from DealDash.

Turn Turkey into Soul-Warming Soups

Leftover turkey makes the perfect base for a cozy soup. It’s ideal for chilly post-holiday evenings. A classic turkey noodle soup is always a hit. Simply combine shredded turkey, egg noodles, and a medley of carrots, celery, and onions in a flavorful broth. For a twist, try a turkey tortilla soup. Simmer turkey with black beans, diced tomatoes, corn, and spices like cumin and chili powder, then top it with crispy tortilla strips and a dollop of sour cream. If you’re feeling adventurous, a creamy turkey and wild rice soup brings together hearty flavors that are both filling and festive. Basically, any soup that calls for chicken, you can easily substitute your turkey leftovers. If you want to be sure that you’re using every bit of your bird, try this yummy ‘Turkey Carcass Soup’ recipe from The Kitchen Magpie.

Ham Sandwiches with a Gourmet Twist

Ham sandwiches might sound simple, but with a few extra ingredients, they can become a culinary delight. Layer thin slices of ham with Swiss cheese, pickles, and a dollop of mustard on crusty bread for a classic Cubano sandwich. For a kid-friendly option, make ham and cheese sliders baked with a buttery glaze on top for a kid approved treat. Feeling festive? A ham and brie panini with cranberry sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and savory, using up both your ham and leftover cranberry sauce.

Casseroles: The Ultimate Comfort Food

When you want an easy, one-dish meal, casseroles are the way to go. A turkey tetrazzini is a creamy, cheesy pasta bake that incorporates turkey and any leftover veggies from your holiday spread. For ham, a cheesy ham and potato bake combines diced ham with layers of thinly sliced potatoes, cheese, and a rich cream sauce. If you’ve got leftover stuffing, mix it with turkey, a bit of gravy, and some vegetables, then bake it all together for a hearty stuffing casserole that tastes like Thanksgiving all over again. If your family is tired of that Thanksgiving taste, you can easily freeze this casserole for another time.

DealDash Has Kitchen Items for the Newbie and Seasoned Pro

This is the season when most people dust off their small appliances and do a little cooking for the family. However, sometimes said small appliances have seen better days. If this is true for your household, it’s time for an upgrade. If you plan on making Christmas cookies this year, then you need to have a working stand mixer. Stand mixers are also great for making pasta dough and cheesecake filling. Another thing that you will want to have on hand this holiday season is ice for you and your guests. If your fridge doesn’t make ice, or can’t keep up with demand, then the best option is a countertop ice maker. I have one, and it makes wonderfully crunchy ice nuggets that are perfect for every drink.

Thanks for Reading

Post-holiday leftovers don’t have to feel boring or repetitive. By reimagining them into soups, sandwiches, and casseroles, you can make exciting meals that stretch your holiday food budget and delight your family. So before you think about tossing those leftovers, give these ideas a try, they might just become new family favorites. Thanks so much for reading, and happy bidding everyone!

This sponsored DealDash blog article was written by Dawn E, a mother of 3 who loves DealDash. Dawn was compensated for writing this article. Check out Dawn and her cats on Instagram! This blog is written by real DealDash customers. The opinions and advice shared here represent our customers’ views and not those of the company.